HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Workers on Redstone Arsenal now have the extra security of knowing the facility is a Storm Ready Community.

The National Weather Service awarded Redstone Arsenal and Marshall Space Flight Center the Storm Ready Community designation, a step up from its previous Storm Ready Supporter status. The designation recognizes the arsenal and Marshall's work on documenting notification systems and severe weather preparedness.

Weather service officials were at the arsenal Thursday to present Storm Ready Community signs to Redstone and Marshall Space Flight Center representatives. The signs will be installed at the welcome centers at gates one and nine.

"Achieving this status is a fairly rigorous process," said Chris Darden, meteorologist in charge at National Weather Service in Huntsville. "It's nice to be designated a Storm Ready Community but it's more important for the people who work on the arsenal to know they have this extra layer of safety."

As part of the process, Redstone and Marshall documented their early warning systems and communication process, shelter areas and training on dealing with severe weather.

Carole Valenti, Emergency Management director for Marshall, said it's important for all the employees on the arsenal to know safety is always a top concern.

"This process has given us a better understanding of what goes on at the National Weather Service and how we need to keep those lines of communication open," she said. "It's important that everyone know we have the capability to take care of our people 24/7."

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Redstone Arsenal, Marshall Space Flight Center earn Storm Ready Community designation